Vuvuzela’s and Jabulani’s

By Adwait at 4 August, 2010, 10:45 am

Spain won, Netherlands came close, New Zealand remained unbeaten and last years finalists, went home early. South Africa 2010 was all about upsets, some spectacular goals and lots of noise.

In Germany, the Italians muscled their way through penalties against the French. This year round, both of them left without much of a struggle, without a fight being rather tame exits. The French coach was criticized and so was the Italian team selection.

The group stages were quite a bore. Not much entertainment was provided and draws seemed to be happening everywhere in South Africa. Then with the coming of the knock-outs came louder blows of the Vuvuzela’s, some great finishes and moments of controversy. Uruguay this years semi-finalists, had their moment when Luis Suarez fisted the ball away from the goal, leading to a red card, eventually setting up a South American victory over what would have been a distraught Ghana team. Calling it the second hand of God, the young Uruguayans presence of mind, led his country into the semi’s, only to be beaten by the Dutch.

The Dutch, this years runners up, knocked out the favourite Samba boys. After going a goal down, Wesely Sneijder took control and as Shakespeare says, ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’, Sneijder did exactly what he had to do to make sure the Dutch were safe. Brazil on the other hand, for the second time running failed to make into the top four. Last time round it was France, and this year the Netherlands, both nations finishing second best.

The young Germans looked immaculate. Young, energetic, full of energy. They looked sure to storm into the finals. After tearing Maradonas army by pumping in four goals. Only to be halted by this years champions Spain. After scoring a total of eight goals against England and Argentina, one Spanish goal was enough to knock out the young German side. The nation was stunned by a thumping header from the Barcelona captain and centre back Carles Puyol. Rising high and heading the ball, only to see it rebounding of the back of the net and rolling back out. There ended the German run, which left fans all over the world in shock.

With nations such as the USA, Korea, Slovakia being knocked out early, along with the unlucky the English side, South Africa had its four best. The Netherlands, Spain, Uruguay and Germany.

Spain having won the European championships a couple of years ago, were hot favourites. Having lost their first game of the campaign to Switzerland, they hadn’t set a foot wrong after that. The Dutch were playing good football as well. Having defeated Brazil and Slovakia en route, they were confident coming into the Semi’s. Uruguay’s Diego Forlan was taking the World Cup by storm. He was in sensational form and if Uruguay were to go through, he was the man who could make the difference. Luis Suarez was suspended for the semi’s, but it was he who got them to it in the first place, ironic ? This is football.

Gearing up on the other semi berth were two European power houses. A young German side, full of confidence and a cool Spanish side, hungry for their first ever world cup.

Puyols header stung the Germans and two wonder goals from Forlan and Van Bronkhorst set up an interesting semi clash, which saw the Dutch eventually win [3-2].

The final was set, at Soccer City, the world would see a new champion being crowned for the first time. Neither nations had one a world cup and only one could imagine the hunger and passion building up to the 90 minutes of pure exhilaration which was to be played out by the 22 players on the pitch.

The final was goal less for regulated 90 minutes. With the additional extra time being played it was the pacey Andres Iniesta, the Barcelona midfielder who is know for his one off goals, which change the direction of the game completely. He got the ball inside the penalty area and slotted it past Steklenberg with ease. This was four minutes from the end of the game. This was enough. It was the fatal blow, and the Spanish drew first blood. The Netherlands couldn’t recover from this, leading to Spain being crowned world champions. There first ever cup.

The world cup is the summit which all footballing nations dream to scale. Lifting the cup is every kids dream. The chance comes every four years and that when the stadium erupts and flags start waving.

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